Doctor Appointment Update

I am 13 weeks/3 days pregnant.

Yesterday was a doctor appointment day. I received a call from the doctor's office in the morning to let me know that they did receive our chromosome test results and that they were all normal. It's my understanding that these tests would have shown if Dave and I had any defective genes or genes that would make me prone to miscarriages. So, the fact that these results were all completely normal is a great.

My appointment was in the afternoon. There was a letter waiting for me from the geneticist - copies of the chromosome tests and the results of the "BIG" test - Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (NATP) - the test that Dave and I had to have our blood drawn several times for. The blood was sent to a special lab in Wisconsin. This test might have given us the answer we have been looking for. If positive, it would have required a very vigorous therapy - my getting blood transfusions regularly throughout the pregnancy, but GOOD NEWS - NATP was not our problem. The test did show that Dave and I were very similar in our genetic make up (go figure), but that wasn't unusual and that we do have an incompatibility between mother and father for HPA-1b- however this is not uncommon..... So for this pregnancy, there would be no special therapy or treatment for NATP. I am relieved, but on the other hand would love to have an answer and a treatment for whatever causes problems with my pregnancies.

At my appointment, I was called back for my visit. First thing -my blood pressure reading -110/46, my weight 160 and the usual urine sample - which also tested fine. The same sonogram technician I've been seeing performed the sonogram. The ladies in the office are definately getting to know me and my worried ways, so first thing I hear is "yes, there's the heartbeat". Pheeeew, relief!! She then took measurements of the baby, looked for blood flow and gave me a few photos to take home to Dave. The baby is now measuring a week ahead.... I guess I should be happy as long as it isn't measuring a week behind. The technician said the measurements are sometimes hard to get and not to worry....The baby wasn't as active as it was on the last visit. Last visit it was so clear how the baby was kicking and moving his arms. I was worried about that, but she did tell me the baby goes through sleep and awake cycles, and she did have me cough which did stimulate the baby to move around. Also, the very first view I had of the baby today was with the baby's arms crossed over like in an "x" position over his chest. I thought that was neat.

The technician had me wait there for the doctor. The doctor came in and said the baby looked good, but she was focusing on the pictures of the placenta. Anybody who's had an ultrasound before kind of always gets that "talk", "the technician is not a doctor, your doctor will go over the results with you". So, I kind of just waited for her to speak and she pointed out an area on the placenta picture (which looked like nothing to me) she wanted to watch - she's worried it might be a clot. Great....clot.....not a clot....uuuuughhhhh...... Clots in the placenta stop blood/nutrient flow to the baby which means the baby will not get what it needs to grow. Not good. She did say I shouldn't worry about it, asked me if I had any bleeding - which I haven't. So off I was sent to not worry about a big possible worry..... Here goes the worrying......Don't get me wrong, I've been worried all along, but now something concrete to worry on. Knew that would be coming....

She did mention all the pap and culture tests from the last visit were normal and it was fine to see her in 2 weeks. In 2 weeks I will have a regular appointment and get the next set of blood tests (what I call the tri-screen). This may pick up any abnormalities if they are happening.

So, today here I am worrying. Wishing I had probed the doctor for more information on this area we are watching.